antler cleanup

[Coyote]

I've got a set of moose antlers from last year. Most of the meat and hair has been removed but there is still a bit of hair around the antler bases and a bit of dried meat on the skull. What's the best way to get rid of the residual stuff.

'yote

[The Dawg]

Leave it outside and let the bugs do it.

[Big7]

If it's from last year, then the residual meat, fat etc will be almost rock hard. It will however be susceptible to weavils etc once in the house so you need to boil the snot out of it - it will take 2 to 3 times as long as it would have taken if it was done shortly after harvest - I know because I just did my caribou antlers from last year!!

Big pot of water, a hot plate or coleman stove (or equivalent) and time! That's the best way!! I do mine outside as they tend to smell a bit and the "fun police" don't care for the smell getting into the house!!

[Wild Images]

Boiling antlers can be a pain in the _ss and will also discolor the antler
if you dont care what the skull portion looks like, take a dremel tool with a small round hi-speed cutting bit and grind away as much of the dried skin and crud as you can. Then take a propane torch and burn off the leftovers, wipe clean- your done.

[CooperSscat]

Just scrape off the tissue(down into the bone) with whatever knife works the best.

Jeremy

Here's the cheapo/quikie 'garage' mount job I did for my brother's 2008 mulie.
http://photos-453.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v350/62/38/608685453/n608685453_4454495_5600.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4454496&id=608685453)